Seabee (oz2308)

About this Plan

Sea Bee. Free flight scale seaplane. From May 1949 issue of Aeromodeller. Wingspan 53-1/2 in.

Update 20/11/2024: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "FOR those who like to build a model aircraft that is unusual and at the same time a really good flyer, our cover machine, the Republic Seabee, offers an ideal job.

The full-size job is designed for luxurious transport and at the same time can be used as a millionaire's sea, land, and air yacht and is so equipped that the starboard front of the cabin swings open for mooring and fishing and with the engine in the rear, both the pilot and the passengers have an uninterupted view of the world before them.

It is a four place monoplane and all-metal construction based on a system of rapid construction.

The model has been designed along a very similar layout, namely, the hull is a complete unit with the cabin a further unit screwed to the hull and easily detachable. The motor is readily accessible, and wings easily removable and rubber loaded to withstand landing shocks. The tail unit is dowelled into place so that when stripped down the hull and cabin in one piece are easily transportable.

The undercart is retractable and is usually flown with wheels up; landings are taken on the keel, and however unfortunate the touch down the model always slides to rest the right way up.

Spring loaded floats are fitted to the wings but for normal land flying are generally removed. On water, however, the model keeps a straight course and shows no sign of swinging.

The wing loading of 16 oz may appear high but the model is not unduly fast and will definitely fly in all weathers, and clubs in the South of England who have seen the Seabee flying will vouch that when duration models have been grounded by wind the Seabee comes cheerfully on.

The power unit strangely enough is only a 1.25 Allouchery compression ignition motor and with so small a power unit no ROW has been attempted, but no doubt with a slightly larger motor (provided the weight is not increased) this should be accomplished.

Full-size plans of this model, complete with an illustrated leaflet giving full building instructions, are obtainable price 7/– post free from Aeromodeller Plans Service, The Aerodrome, Billington Road, Stanbridge, Nr. Leighton Buzzard, Beds."

Supplementary file notes

Alternate version of the same plan. Higher resolution (at 400dpi), but some cleanup needed. Thanks to JJ.
Article.

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